Michael McClune
 

Michael McClune, who won the National Championship last month, won his first Futures event today, beating compatriot Tim Smyczek 6-4, 6-2. He dropped only one set in the tournament. In the process, he defeated U.S. Junior Open champion Ricardas Berkankis 6-4, 6-2.

This is his second consecutive good week. Last week he lost in the semis to Carsten Ball, who he beat 6-2, 6-1 this time around.

McClune just turned 18 last month.

Here's a picture of him:

Re: Michael McClune
 

That is an impressive win for McClune. Thanks for posting the info here SHB. :)

Re: Michael McClune
 

Yeah, i heard of this kid as well. I threw him in my sigge today and hes playing a futures this week too.

Re: Michael McClune
 

:yeah: always good to see a new young american having some good results. Thanks SHB!

Re: Michael McClune
 

I watched him play Chela in NY and he easily could have taken a set.

He has a beautiful game. :yeah:

Re: Michael McClune
 

how does he play, Joel?

Re: Michael McClune
 

Very classic, all-court game. Beautiful one-handed backhand. Isn't afraid to come to the net.

Re: Michael McClune
 

ah cool thanks :) Looking forward to being able to see him play!

Re: Michael McClune
 

McClune will face Donald Young in the second round of the Sacramento Challenger after beating Christopher Lam 6-1, 6-1. This will be a good measuring stick for him. Young beat McClune 7-6(3), 6-1 in the QF of the 2006 National Championship. The winner will probably face Querrey in the QF. McClune has never been beyond the second round of a Challenger, of which he's played four (excluding this one).

Since winning his first pro title a few weeks back, he's lost in the QF and SF of two Futures events, both times to compatriot Nikita Kryvonos.

Re: Michael McClune
 

I enjoyed watching him play today. He has a smooth, classic looking service motion that made me think of Pete Sampras (but it's not really similar).

Re: Michael McClune
 

6-2, 6-4 to Young. It doesn't look like McClune has closed the gap since they last met.

Re: Michael McClune
 

Michael McClune

Would see him at Top 150 next year.

Re: Michael McClune
 

I found this article that briefly discusses the Young-McClune match from last week. It sounds like the two are pretty supportive of each other. I like to see that.

http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/428665.html

Querrey, Young and McClune are considered potential top-10 players. McClune said Young "can go all the way (to No. 1). He has the talent, skill and game."

Young is only one month older than McClune but has far more experience. Young turned pro at 14 -- perhaps unprecedented for a male player -- and McClune did so in April.

Thursday, in the first meeting between the two players as pros and second overall (Young is 2-0), the 6-foot-2 McClune displayed more power, but the 5-9 Young was steadier.

"He's a big guy with a big serve and forehand," Young said. "I hope he's the guy with me winning matches (in the future)."

Re: Michael McClune
 

McClune won his second pro title today by defeating Carsten Ball 6-7(0), 6-4, 6-3 in USA F26 Futures. So that's two wins in his last four Futures with QF and SF appearances sandwiched between the two wins.

He's playing another Futures event this week.

Re: Michael McClune
 

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!! :banana: